Jesse Delgado continued an annual Gilroy High wrestling
tradition by winning his division at the Reno Tournament of
Champions this past weekend.
The victory marked Delgado’s fifth All-American honor – the top
three finishers in each weight class are awarded in such a manner –
and the third straight year a Mustang has taken first, with Hunter
Collins doing so in 2006 and 2007.
Heavyweight Luis Barragan gave Gilroy a second placer at the
meet, winning four of seven matches to take sixth place.
RENO – Jesse Delgado continued an annual Gilroy High wrestling tradition by winning his division at the Reno Tournament of Champions this past weekend.
The victory marked Delgado’s fifth All-American honor – the top three finishers in each weight class are awarded in such a manner – and the third straight year a Mustang has taken first, with Hunter Collins doing so in 2006 and 2007.
Heavyweight Luis Barragan gave Gilroy a second placer at the meet, winning four of seven matches to take sixth place.
“This is a great measuring stick,” Gilroy coach Armando Gonzalez said. “We know where Jesse is, but this was a better measuring stick for Luis. It gives us a better understanding of what we have and it gives us a legitimate state placer at the heavyweight division.”
The Mustangs likely would have had three placers had 119-pounder Martin Gonzalez been healthy enough to compete. Ranked No. 1 for all weights in California entering the season after winning a state title in March, Martin Gonzalez is resting a knee injury and likely won’t compete until some time in January.
Delgado now trails Collins, who is currently attending the University of Michigan on a full scholarship, by just one All-American award for his career. He has several more opportunities between now and the time he graduates in the summer of 2010.
Seeded second in the 119-pound division, Delgado won all six of his matches, including a big victory over Quincy’s Cody Pack, who was ranked third in the tourney and had been ranked as high as 11th in the nation by WIN Magazine.
Last season, Delgado took third at 112 pounds.
The competition in Barragan’s bracket was possibly even more intense, as he lost to last year’s TOC winner and this year’s No. 1 seed, Dylan Stadel, 7-1 in a third-round match.
Vincent Aboytes (152 pounds) had a 4-2 record for the weekend, bouncing back from a second-round defeat to Tyler McClanahan to win his next three matches. Rodney Balajadia (130) won three matches after an opening-round loss by decision to Kyle Switzler of La Costa Canyon, 9-7.
Other Gilroy wrestlers to win two matches included 112-pound freshman Aaron Gonzalez (2-2), 140-pounder Adam Rosso (2-2) and 215-pounder Fabian Laredo (2-2).
Michael Penyascek (160 pounds) lost his lone match 8-5, having to bow out due to injury after going toe-to-toe with No. 5 seed Stephone Kling.
“To his credit, Michael went out there and battled,” Armando Gonzalez said. “He was only down three points and we were really pleased with his showing.”
While the trip was an extremely challenging experience for many of Gilroy’s wrestlers, coaches couldn’t have been more pleased with what was gained from the trip.
“It’s great for our big dogs because they’re contenders, but it’s also good for our other guys because we really bond over the trip,” Armando Gonzalez said.
Reno Tournament of Champions Results
Aaron Gonzalez (112 pounds, 2-2 record)
LOST Fall 1:06, Silvero Espara (Lemoore)
WON Fall :35, Dylan Beckwith (Bishop Gorman, Nevada)
WON Major 11-2, Justin Ring (Klein Collins, Texas)
LOST Fall 2:54, David Sok (Stagg)
Jesse Delgado (119, 6-0)
WON Dec 6-2, Jake Bolen (Chico)
WON Fall 1:08, Jimmy Filomeo (Foothill, Palo Cerdes)
WON Major 12-1, Jeremy Hurley (Grundy, Virginia)
WON Dec 6-3, Sean Silva (Barstow)
WON Dec 10-3, Cody Pack (Quincy)
WON Dec 3-1, Austin Mogg (El Reno, Oklahoma)
Rodney Balajadia (130 ,3-2)
LOST Dec 9-7, Kyle Switzler (La Costa Canyon)
WON Dec 5-0, Heath Greenlee (Barstow)
WON Fall 2:53, Colton Bangerter (Wasatch, Utah)
WON Dec 7-3, Spencer O’Neil (Damonte Ranch, Nevada)
LOST Dec 11-6, Luke Shelley (South Anchorage, Alaska)
Adam Rosso (140, 2-2)
WON Fall :56, Tommy Field (Bishop Gorman, Nevada)
LOST Fall 2:47, Logan Adiis (Mingus, Arizona)
WON Major 9-1, Jakob Fisher (Grandview, Colorado)
LOST Fall :57, Mike Mc Stravick (Upper Perkiomen, Pennsylvania)
Vincent Aboytes (152, 4-2)
WON Fall 1:02, Frank Ferrante (Pittsburg)
LOST Fall 4:27, Tyler Mc Clanahan (Grundy, Virginia)
WON Fall :25, Scott Downie (McQueen, Nevada)
WON Dec 9-7, Cory Haggans (North Medford, Oregon)
WON Major 9-0. Caleb Christen (Springville, Utah)
LOST Dec 3-0, Joshua Starr (Grandview, Colorado)
Benjamin Torricer (160, 1-2)
LOST Fall 1:36, Bryar Saddoris (Spring Creek, Nevada)
WON Fall 2:53, Chris Warren (Bergen Catholic, New Jersey)
LOST Fall 1:53, Dalton Whiting (Columbia, Idaho)
Michael Penyascek (171, 0-1)
LOST Injury Default, Stephone Kling (Ponderosa, Colorado)
Fabian Loredo (215, 2-2)
LOST Fall 1:07, Tanner Wakefield (Chico)
WON Dec 6-1, Phil Just (Ridgefield, Washington)
WON Dec 5-3, Cody Dennis (Springville, Utah)
LOST Fall 2:50, DJ Bush (Centennial, Idaho
Luis Barragan (285, 4-3)
WON Fall 1:36, Jeremy Byrnes (Galena, Nevada)
WON Fall :30, Brent Pitman (Redwood)
LOST Dec 7-1, Dylan Stadel (Lehi, Utah)
WON Fall 1:26, John Castle (Poway)
WON Fall :52, Jim Tersigni (Phillipsburg, New Jersery)
LOST Dec 3-1, Bryan Solomon (El Reno, Oklahoma)
LOST Fall 4:00, Brandon Hesse (Crater, Oregon)
